Corsica France Travel Guide

Corsica France resembles a mini continent, with amazing geographical diversity. The landscape ranges from shimmering bays, vibrant coastal cities and wonderful beaches to rugged mountain ridges, valleys, dense forests and hilltop villages. A vacation in Corsica offers a variety of opportunities: from hiking and canyoning to snorkeling and sunbathing, a leisurely boat trip, the island’s multifaceted history and sampling local delicacies. The choice for sun, sand and sea worshippers in Corsica is endless, with 200 beaches along the stunning 1000 km coastline.

Corsica France Weather – When to Visit

The best time for visiting Corsica is between May and September. The weather is sunny and warm and the water is pleasant until September. If you are going walking, you will appreciate the months of May, June and September: it’s not too hot and the island is less crowded. Travelers who want to swim and enjoy the warm water will prefer the months of July and August.

Best Corsica Beaches

Saleccia Beach

Saleccia Beach, on the northern coast of Corsica, is one of the most deserted beaches on the island. Its beauty is the very undeveloped half-mile-long stretch of pearl-white sand. Most of the year, the beach is very quiet. The beach gets busier in August, and the best way to get there is to travel by boat.

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Palombaggia Beach

This sprawling beach near Porto Vecchio features turquoise, shallow waters. Since Palombaggia Beach is so beautiful, it’s grown as one of the most popular beaches on the island. Therefore the area can get crowded during the summer months. Perfect for families, this beach has lifeguards, beach clubs and opportunities for water sports.

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Roccapina Beach

Roccapina Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in Corsica. With both turquoise waters and natural rock formations surrounding the beach, a view from this cove seems to come straight from a travel magazine. The calm waters make for a relaxing swim, especially for families with young children. The rock formation around Roccapina Beach resembles a crouching lion, which has the name Rocher du Lion. To snag a great picture of the Rocher du Lion rock formation, head to Casa di Roccapina visitor’s center.

La Rondinara Beach

The beach known as La Rondinara is found between the towns of Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio. This beach attracts families due to its shallow waters. If you’re visiting during the summer season, you’ll also found umbrella rentals and a snack bar on this beach, along with an onsite restaurant. This bay, located in a nature preserve, is covered with white sand and protected by rocky outcroppings.

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Santa Giulia Beach

Santa Giulia Beach is a Corsican paradise, complete with clear, blue waters and fine, white sand. About five miles from Porto Vecchio, this beach is beautiful and has plenty of facilities. With restaurants, restrooms, umbrella and water sport rentals, and a lifeguard on duty, Santa Giulia is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. Boating is also popular in the area, so you can rent a boat here too.

Corsica Tours & Activities

4 Hours Canyoning in the Corsica island : The Canyon of Verghellu

Enjoy adrenaline-pumping adventure in the Verghellu Canyon on this half-day canyoning tour in Corsica. Strap into your harness, pull on your helmet and enjoy a 20-minute walk through Corsica’s rugged terrain to your starting point. On arrival, follow your guide along the tricky rope courses and take in beautiful views over the Corsican countryside. Along the way, zoom along high ziplines, leap off high ledges into swirling waters, slide along natural chutes into deep plunge pools, abseil down sheer rock-faces and enjoy everything Corsica’s great outdoors has to offer. Read more about Canyoning in the Corsica Island.

Sea Kayaking Guided Tour

Agriate’s coastline is just made for exploring by sea kayak. Experience clear water, beautiful landscapes and wildlife that give this coast its magical feel. This activity is suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced sea kayaker’s. From Lozari beach (near Ile-Rousse), discover this magical place with them! Read more about the Sea Kayaking Guided Tour.

Stand-Up Paddle Guided Tour in Corsica

Stand-up paddle is the trendy sport! It is especially a very complete sport that makes the sheathing and balance work. Discover this activity and get started with the pleasures of sliding with our instructor. The paddle is a simple activity to implement: a board, a paddle, you and the Mediterranean Sea! Accessible to all, sporty or not, it is the sport of convivial sliding par excellence! Read more about the Stand-Up paddle Guided Tour.

Ajaccio E-Bike Tour in the Footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte

Discover the top attractions in Ajaccio with a self-guided e-bike tour. Follow an itinerary to see the house where Napoleon Bonaparte was born, the narrow streets of the old town, and the Cathedral where Napoleon was baptized. Explore the market at Foch Square including crafts and food products made in Corsica. Read more about the Ajaccio E-Bike Tour

Canyoning in Corsica Richiusa Canyon

They propose canyoning all over Corsica. In fact, a lot of them are situated in the mountains, in the center near Corte. All monitors speak English or Spanish to make you enjoy this funny practice while respecting the safety of the group. Read more about Canyoning in Corsica Richiusa Canyon.

Best Corsica Restaurants

20123 $31 – 60

The tables are always full at this popular establishment known for its traditional cuisine, fresh daily catches, and, in season, game specials such as civet de sanglier (wild boar stew), served in a bubbling earthenware casserole with cheesy polenta. The rustic interior has a starry sky above, antique lanterns, and a stone fountain where guests pour their own water into ceramic jugs. Telephone: 33 4 95 21 50 05 Web: 20123

Le Cabanon Bleu $11 – 30

With an attractive terrace at the edge of the sea granting wonderful views across Ajaccio Bay, Le Cabanon Bleu serves mainly fresh fish and seafood dishes like John Dory in a creamy aioli sauce. The seafood platter is generous, mixing shellfish and saffron rice, and the fresh lobster dish is another good option. Located beside Hotel Les Mouettes, it is reached off the main coast road about a mile outside Ajaccio. Telephone: 33 4 95 51 02 15 Web: Le Cabanon Bleu

Le Week End $31 – 60

About 10 minutes from downtown Ajaccio is this eatery where white rattan furniture and blue tablecloths are overshadowed by a spectacular ocean view and fine seafood menu. Here you’ll find everything from marinated octopus and tuna spring rolls to rockfish soup and grilled red sea bream. Family-run since 1956, this restaurant flourishes with secret recipes handed down from generations. History can still be found in the fireplace lounge, where velvet chairs and family paintings date back to 1920.   Telephone: 33 4 95 52 01 39 Web: Le Week End

La Palmeraie $31 – 60

La Palmeraie has two dining options: a bistro-style room with circular tables, colorful chairs, and photographs depicting various celebrities who have visited the property, and a beautiful conservatory emanating an Art Nouveau style in a spectrum of colors ranging from terra-cotta to olive green to sky blue. Dinner highlights include a starter of pressed duck foie gras with local figs and sautéed veal with wild mushrooms. Indulge in cheese heaven: this place stocks 40 different Corsican varieties. Telephone: 33 4 95 65 93 00 Web: La Palmeraie

Restaurant Le Santana $11 – 30

You will be delighted by the landscape, the serenity of the sound of the sea, the beautiful sunset, but also by the charm of the Mediterranean cuisine scented with the flavors of the Corsican maquis. Fish and shellfish from the local fishing, honey from the maquis, citrus fruits and ensolle vegetables, cold meats, regional meats and cheeses. Telephone: 33 4 95 74 02 03 Web: Restaurant Le Santana.

Best Corsica Night Life

Via Notte

Corsica’s hottest club, on Porto-Vecchio’s southern outskirts, Via Notte claims to be the largest open-air nightclub in Europe. With up to 5000 revelers and superstar DJs most nights in summer, it has to be seen to be believed. Telephone: 04 95 72 02 12 Web: Via Notte

Le Vieille Cave

Sit round a barrel on a low stool in this jewel of a wine cellar, and let the formidable Emmanuel Simonini guide you through the innumerable vintages on offer, either to sip right there and then with a charcuterie platter, or to take home as a souvenir. Closing times are subject to the convivial atmosphere, and often extend later. Telephone: 04 95 46 33 79 Web: La Vieille Cave

Chez Tao

Eight decades on, hedonistic hipsters still flock to this super-smooth piano bar, a Calvi institution founded high in the citadel by White Russian émigré Tao Kanbey de Kerekoff in 1935. Enjoy a cocktail in the lavish, vaulted 16th-century interior, where there’s usually live music or a DJ, or better still, soak up the amazing sea views from the terrace. Telephone: 04 95 65 00 73 Web: Chez Tao

Le Glacier de la Place

It may call itself an ice-cream parlor, and it does serve a lot of sundaes, but this place on Porto-Vecchio’s main square is more famous for its large selection of beers from all over the world, as well as its many rums and whiskies. Telephone: 04 95 70 21 42 Web: Le Glacier de la Place

Bar de la Haute Ville

Known to all as ‘BHV’, this legendary bar spills out across the town’s small upper square, with local beers on tap and plenty of fine wines too, along with a snack menu. Live local musicians play several nights per week in summer. Telephone: 04 95 61 06 20 Web: Bar de la Haute Ville

Best Corsica (Ajaccio) Hotels

Hotel Le Week End

Situated in an exceptional area in Corsica, along the Mediterranean and sea facing the magnificent Sanguinary Islands, you will be seduced by this beautiful family establishment. Friendliness, relaxation and exceptional landscapes… Overlooking a fine sandy beach, this new 4 star hotel offers you to a true moment of relaxation. A charming and cozy hotel with 10 Suites sea view facing along with its beautiful overflowing swimming pool and heated swim spa.

Hôtel-Demeure Les Mouettes – Chateaux et Hotels Collection

Les Mouettes is an enchanting 19th century seafront residence. The small white sand beach, the heated saltwater pool and the Jacuzzi are real havens of tranquility. Its pine and palm-lined terrace offers an unrivaled panorama of the Mediterranean Sea and the shores of the Ajaccio Bay. All rooms and suites are individually decorated and are cozily comfortable. 

Hotel Best Western Plus Ajaccio Amiraute

Best Western Ajaccio Amirauté features sea and port views and is close to the town centerand the Ajaccio Airport. Fully renovated in April 2015, it features an exterior swimming pool, heated from Easter to All Saints Day, a Swimspa, heated to 32°C all year round, and a sun terrace.

Hôtel Dolce Vita

The 4-star hotel Dolce Vita is still a privileged holiday destination, appreciated for its elegant, sophisticated ambiance by its current high status clientele. The property is located on the renowned sanguinary islands’ road, between rocky coves and sandy beaches. The 32 bedrooms and suites and the 3 prestigious apartments offer for most of them, magnificent views thanks to large bay windows which reveal the Mediterranean The huge deck of the restaurant overlooks the water, and features an incredible view of the islands. 

Hôtel & Résidence Kallisté Porticcio

Located in Ajaccio, Southern Corsica, the hotel Kalliste is situated on the cours Napoleon street, which is the main commercial artery of the city. Housed in a building dating from 1864, and situated between the ferry terminal, the train station and the old town, the hotel has a great location. Kalliste hotel is a perfect place for a one night stay as well as for a long stay to discover all the pleasures of the gulf of Ajaccio and its gorgeous beaches.